Men usually lose the hair on the tops of their heads before the sides start thinning. This leaves ample room for you to experiment with bald on top haircuts. Adopting a bald on top, hair on sides style can make you look mature and wise beyond your years.
It may seem like there isn’t a lot you can do to play with this haircut but rest assured, we have lots of options for you below. It just takes some out-of-the-box thinking!
What causes baldness on top But hair on sides?
You see how some guys go bald on top, but still have hair around the back and sides? That’s called male pattern baldness. What causes male pattern baldness is not fully understood but it’s mostly genetic.
Here are three key factors to baldness on top and hair on sides.
- Male pattern baldness is inherited. Parents pass it down to their children. If your family has a history of it, you may likely get it too.
- Hormones, especially dihydrotestosterone or DHT, influence male pattern baldness. DHT is a male sex hormone your body produces. It can harm hair follicles, causing hair loss.
- Male pattern baldness typically affects men in their late 20s, 40s, and 50s. Still, it can start showing up in men during their teenage years.
How Can I Hide My Bald On Top?
Here are several strategies you can use to disguise or work with the baldness on top while still maintaining the hair on the sides:
Hairstyling: Talk to your barber about hairstyles that might help conceal your bald spot. A longer, layered cut can sometimes help mask thinning hair on top, as it adds volume.
Comb Over: It’s a classic technique but needs to be done subtly to avoid looking artificial. Do not force the hair to cover the bald spot entirely; instead, let it naturally fall over the area.
Hair Products: Use volumizing shampoos and conditioners. These can make the remaining hair appear thicker and fuller. Products that add texture can also make your hair look more voluminous.
Hair Fibers: There are products on the market that are like hair fibers. They bind to your existing hair, creating the appearance of fuller hair.
Shave or Trim the Sides: Keeping the hair on the sides shorter can make the top look fuller in comparison. You could also consider a full shave or buzz cut for a clean, balanced, and stylish look.
Scalp Micropigmentation: This is a type of hair tattoo that gives the illusion of hair stubble. It can be a good option if you have very little hair left.
Hat or Headwear: Wearing a stylish hat or bandana can be a great way to cover a bald spot, and it adds to your overall look.
Best hairstyles for bald on top, hair on sides
If you’re bald on top and hair on sides, below are a few of the best ways to spruce up your hairstyle.
1. Grey Hair + Goatee
Make up for what you lack by being bald on top by adding a goatee. This nice covering of hair around your mouth will show you’re still manly enough to grow hair where it matters.
Let the hair on the sides of your head grow up as high as it can without being patchy. Leave some gentle fuzz covering the mostly bald area.
2. Salt-And-Pepper Sides
If your hair still has some pigment left, then make sure you show it off. Shave the sides down very short, so both grey and dark hair are visible and blend together. Add a beard to help show it off further.
3. Sparse Comb Over
If you still have a few thin strands of hair left on top, then comb them over your head to create a gentle covering. Grow your hair as thick as you can above your ears but don’t let it get too long.
4. White Tufts
Some men still have a few tufts of hair that grow out of the spot that is mostly bald. Not every hair color looks good letting these tufts go out, but it suits men with white hair very well.
Keep the rest of your side hair a uniform length that comes down to just below the top of your ears. Don’t style or do anything extravagant with it so you can create a soft look.
5. Long Sides + Beard
Make most of the hair you have left by growing it long. Keep the back ear length, but let the sideburns grow long enough to blend into a fluffy white beard.
You can leave a small amount of fluff left on the top of your head if you still grow some hair then naturally, but don’t let it get too long.
6. Comb Back
Are you not fully bald on top? Do you have thick hair on the sides and some hair along your hairline?
Brush the hairline back to help disguise the bald spot. Make the sides slick and shiny to help blend everything together. This works particularly well with naturally dark hair.
7. Thick Sides + Mustache
If you still have some thick hair left on your sides with a bald on top, then show it off. Consider getting a few layers to help the sides look even thicker. Add a bushy mustache to give yourself a fun vibe.
8. Reverse Mohawk
Sometimes it’s best to use a razor to make the top of your head completely hair free to get the funky reverse mohawk. Fluff up the sides into spikes, so you still have some volume on top.
9. Brushed Sides
Not all guys suit thick and unruly sides of their hair. Keep your hair short and brushed towards the back of your head if you want to make it look neater.
Keeping your hair shorter on the sides is also a good idea if your hair is thinning around the temple area.
10. Long Silver Fluff
If your hair has a naturally fluffy texture, then let it stand free. A lot of hair when growing out from the sides of the head, will stick straight out.
Letting your silver locks stand out while the top is bald will make you look like a sweet, approachable old man with fun stories to tell.
Bald on top haircuts are all pretty similar, but you can adjust the length and thickness of the hair you have left on the sides.
Choose your look wisely. Some will make you look like a fun-loving older guy, and others will make you look like a wise old gentleman people look to for advice.
FAQs
Yes, having hair on the sides but being bald on top is a common pattern of hair loss that is often caused by male pattern baldness.
Yes, there are treatments that can help to slow down or prevent the progression of male pattern baldness. These treatments include minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia).
The pattern of being bald on top but having hair on the sides typically progresses over time with the hair on the top of the head becoming thinner and eventually disappearing.
Yes, there are treatments that specifically target the “bald on top, hair on sides” hair loss pattern. These treatments include minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia).
A diet or lifestyle change may impact the pattern of being bald on top but having hair on the sides. For example, a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants may help to slow down the progression of hair loss. Additionally, quitting smoking and reducing stress may also help to slow down the progression of hair loss.
Multiple research shows that it affects a lot of men, but it does seem to happen more often in white guys compared to other ethnic groups. African, Asian, and Native American guys tend to see it less. But, honestly, it’s a roll of the dice, and it can happen to any dude.
Myth 1: Hair loss comes only from your mom’s side of the family. That’s not really true. Both your mom’s and dad’s genes can contribute, so you can’t just blame one side!
Myth 2: Another myth is that wearing hats can cause it. Nope, your favorite baseball cap isn’t making you bald. The main culprit is usually just your own genetic luck of the draw, not your wardrobe choices.